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  Modular electric terminal connector, in particular for a mono-body probe of defibrillationUSPTO Application #: 20060068645Title: Modular electric terminal connector, in particular for a mono-body probe of defibrillation Abstract: A modular electric terminal connector, in particular for a monobody defibrillation probe. This terminal includes a stacking of elementary cylindrical parts, alternatively conducting and insulating, each of which includes a central cavity receiving the sheath of a cable comprising several connection wires. An axial pin, placed on a casing at the free extremity of stacking, is connected to a respective connection wire to form an axial contact of the terminal. Rods passing through homologous borings formed in each part ensure axial and angular alignment of the various parts of stacking. The unit is solidarized by injection of an adhesive under pressure. Suitable openings make it possible to connect by laser welding the conducting elementary parts to the wires located in the sheath to form the annular contacts of the terminal. (end of abstract)
Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department - Irvine, CA, US Inventor: Jean Francois Ollivier USPTO Applicaton #: 20060068645 - Class: 439669000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Electrical Connectors, With Insulation Other Than Conductor Sheath, Plural-contact Coupling Part, Plural-contact Coupling Part Comprises Receptacle Or Plug, Having Only Push-pull-engaging Contacts Spaced Along Longitudinal Axis Of Engagement (e.g., Jack-type Receptacle Or Plug), Plug Having Cylindrical Or Annular Contacts Of Substantially The Same Diameter (e.g., Jack-type Plug) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060068645. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to "active medical devices" as defined by the Jun. 14, 1993 directive 93/42/CE of the Council of the European Communities, and in particular, but in a nonrestrictive way, to "active implantable medical devices" as defined by the Jun. 20, 1990 directive 90/385/CE of that Council. [0002] The invention will be mainly described within the framework of implantable defibrillators or implantable cardiovertors, which are implantable devices able to deliver to the heart pulses of high energy (i.e., pulses notably exceeding the energy provided for simple stimulation) to try to stop a tachyarythmia. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Implementation of the invention is applicable to a very large variety of active medical devices, implantable or not, including in particular, in addition to the cardiac prostheses: neurological apparatuses, pumps for distribution of medical substances, cochlear implants, implanted biological sensors, etc. These devices comprise a case or a "generator" connected electrically and mechanically to one or more probes equipped with electrodes, whose role is to distribute energy to tissue, e.g., the heart. [0004] There are standardized systems of connection, making possible interchangeability of probes and the generators produced by various manufacturers. The "IS-1" standard, for example, defines a certain number of dimensional and electric specifications relating to probes delivering impulses of low stimulation voltage. [0005] For defibrillation probes or cardioversion, where electrical constraints are more severe given the high energy delivered by the generator to the probes, another standard known as "DF-1" defines the dimensional and electric specifications of the connection system. [0006] In the case of "mono-body" probes, equipped at the same time with both stimulation (or sensing) electrodes and shock electrodes, it is foreseen, for example, a terminal with the IS-1 standard connected to a right ventricular distal detection/stimulation electrode, and two terminals with the DF-1 standard connected to two shock electrodes, respectively, a right ventricular electrode, and a "supraventricular" electrode, which is intended to be positioned in the higher vena cava for application of shock to the atrium. The complexity of such probes is expected to become even more complex in the future, in particular with development of multisite type devices and intracardiac sensors, such as peak endocavitary acceleration (PEA) sensors. The realization of mono-body probes integrating all these functions and becoming increasingly complex led to a multiplication of the connection terminals with in addition different standards between the terminals. [0007] Work is currently underway for definition of a new connection standard for such probes, which would allow a single terminal carrying a plurality of contacts to simultaneously ensure establishment of connections at the various output of the generator for all energy levels: sensing of depolarization signals, application of stimulation impulses, or application of cardioversion or defibrillation shocks. [0008] It is in particular considered, within the framework of this work, to define a standard where the single terminal would be of the "isodiameter" type, i.e., a uniform cylindrical form intended to be inserted into a homologous cavity within the generator, with sealing functions performed by elements incorporated in the head of the connector, unlike IS-1 and DF1 standards, which, on the contrary, impose the presence on each relief terminal of a sealing formed on the flexible insulating sleeve. [0009] The realization of such an isodiameter terminal with multiple contacts, however, implies the resolution of many manufacturing problems, in particular because of manufacturing difficulties, taking into account the small dimensions (the considered diameter being only 3.2 mm) and the need for carrying out the electric connections between the contacts of the terminal and the various corresponding conductors in the probe while respecting the constraints of safety and reliability of this type of product, which is intended to be implanted in a patient. Another manufacturing aspect is the complexity related to the need to design and manufacture terminals adapted to various types of probes, for example, probes including or not including PEA sensors with configurations of bipolar or multipolar stimulation electrodes, etc. Each type of probe will correspond to a different terminal, or a different terminal plugging scheme, making more complex, and thus more expensive, manufacture of these terminals. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] One of the goals of the invention is to cure these various disadvantages and limitations by proposing a structure of an isodiameter terminal with multiple contacts that is simple to manufacture, and which presents a modular character allowing one, starting from some basic elements, to obtain simply and quickly different terminals or different plugging schemes without having to significantly modify production equipment. This will allow the adoption of this type of terminal within the framework of a new system of standardized connection without introducing significant additional cost compared to existing systems (e.g., IS-1 and DF-1), while ensuring patient safety, and without compromising reliability and simplicity of implementation. [0011] The terminal of the invention is assembled at the final extremity of a cable comprising connection wires extending longitudinally inside a tubular flexible sheath made of insulating material. This terminal is a rigid cylindrical terminal comprising on its surface a plurality of annular contacts distributed axially and separated by insulating areas, and comprising at its free extremity an axial contact. [0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the terminal includes an axial stacking of alternatively conducting and insulating elementary cylindrical parts, each one including a central cavity extending axially throughout and able to accommodate the tubular sheath. Each conducting elementary part is connected to a respective connecting wire so as to form the aforesaid annular contacts of the terminal, and an axial pin is placed at the free extremity of the stacking and connected to a respective connecting wire so as to form the aforementioned axial contact of the terminal. The embodiment also can include means for axial and angular alignment of the various elementary stacked parts. [0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least some of the elementary parts include a transfer channel of an adhesive injected under pressure, this transfer channel extending axially throughout the part. At least some of these parts can also include a passage radially extending between the transfer channel and the central cavity, to allow expansion of the adhesive under pressure from the transfer channel to the remaining space between the internal wall of the central cavity and the external surface of the tubular sheath lodged in the cavity. Advantageously, some of these parts can have an outlet channel extending radially between the central cavity and the external environment to allow ventilation of the space between the internal wall of the central cavity and the external surface of the tubular sheath lodged in this cavity. [0014] In addition, at least some of the conducting elementary parts can include an access opening radially extending between the central cavity and the external environment and able to give access, for establishment of an electric connection, to a respective connecting wire located in the tubular sheath near the access opening. A conducting material bridge can then be formed in this access opening, preferably by laser welding from the outside of the terminal, to electrically connect the conducting elementary part to the respective connecting wire located in the tubular sheath near the access opening. To do this, the connecting wire can carry, in a region located near the access opening, an insert made out of conducting material lodged in a cavity of the tubular sheath, this insert being electrically connected to a respective connecting wire on the interior side, and leveling the surface of the tubular sheath on the external side. [0015] The terminal can include at its final extremity an axial casing connected to a respective connection wire, and a pin forming the aforementioned axial contact of the terminal, placed on the axial casing. The final elementary part of stacking can then comprise an axial opening surrounded on its internal face by a facing able to cooperate with a peripheral shoulder formed on the axial casing. [0016] The means for the axial and angular alignment of the various elementary parts of stacking can include one or more rods extending axially, fixed in a homologous section boring formed in each elementary part. One or more of these rods can also be a short-circuiting conducting rod of at least two conducting elementary parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] Further benefits, features, and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of the invention, made with reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective picture of a mono-body defibrillation probe of a known type; [0019] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the proximal extremity of the tubular sheath of the probe of FIG. 1, at the place where this probe widens and is divided into a plurality of conductors, each connected to a distinct connection terminal. [0020] FIG. 3 is an overall picture, in perspective, of an isodiameter multicontact connection terminal according to the present invention, such as it is assembled at the proximal extremity of a mono-body defibrillation probe; Continue reading... Full patent description for Modular electric terminal connector, in particular for a mono-body probe of defibrillation Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Modular electric terminal connector, in particular for a mono-body probe of defibrillation patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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